Reactions to sport career termination: a cross-national comparison of German, Lithuanian and Russian athletes

Description

This is a research article examining the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses of athletes from Germany, Lithuania, and Russia to their retirement from sports. The study analyzes how factors like retirement planning, athletic identity, and socio-cultural environments impact athletes' transitions to post-sport careers. Key findings include the positive role of planned retirement in facilitating better emotional and life adjustments, cross-national differences in coping strategies, and the influence of athletic identity on adaptation challenges. The study offers recommendations for psychological interventions to support retiring athletes and highlights the impact of national sport systems on career transitions.